Member Reviews
A great story . Christian and Haley know each other the last three years which is how long he is in love with her . Christian and her brother Ollie are best friends and bandmates of Stellar Riot . Christian was a contanstant at a reality show but when they kicked him out he had to hind for the next 12 days until the show ends he choose to stay at his best friends house while he wau traveling in Africa . Haley after having a very bad year she lives with her big brother and her two senior dogs Tully and Mularkey and working as a vet nurse . When he appears in front of her she is disappointed because if he won the show the charity he would choose to donate the money would be the Canine Haven Dog Rescue where she works . Because of the contracts he has singed he can't revial what really happened . Living together and talking is the perfect chance for him to make her see the real man behind the tattoos and the fake stories of the tabloids . Will she realise that the perfect man for her is right in front of her all this time ?
I received this book from netgalley , the author and the publicer as an ARC . Thank you . All thoughts and opinions are my own .
Haley absolutely loves Christmas and the holiday season. She has a few extra worries this year, the animal rescue where she works desperately needs funding or it could close. But her brother’s best friend and rock star Christian is competing on a reality TV show to raise the money, and he’s a shoo-in to win. Until he shows up on her doorstep, bounced from the competition and needing to stay out of the public for 12 days.
Christian’s wanted Haley since the first time he saw her. And he knows she’s off-limits. And his reputation is anything but stellar—undeserved, but Haley doesn’t know that. So here’s his chance. Trapped with her for 12 days, he can show her who he really is and hope they can find a future together.
I adored this book from the start! The depth of feelings, the pining, the growth of the two MCs, the way they quickly grow into friendship, then more. Even though it takes place over only a few weeks, it feels like a bit of a slow burn as feelings develop and strengthen. There were so many beautiful moments between them, so many things that left my heart warm and happy.
And the dogs! If you’re a dog lover, you’ll find the sweetest rescue pups and want to rush out and adopt your own. Plus, the side characters played the perfect roles, adding a lot to the story but nowhere near overshadowing Haley and Christian. Hopefully these characters get their own love stories in the future!
HIGHLY recommend, especially if you’re looking for a feel-good Christmas romance!
A really cute Christmas themed story about redemption & love.
Christian is such a sweet soul & the tabloids have painted him out to be a bad boy, but Haley sees through it all. I love Caroline Corvin's writing style. Her description of Haley's decorations really made me feel like I was in a winter wonderland. Overall I really enjoyed this one.
A cozy Christmas read with friends to lovers & brothers best friend tropes & very mild spice. Definitely a must for a Christmas TBR. As always check trigger warnings.
Thank you Caroline Corvin, Net Galley and Grenwyvern Publishing for providing me with an eARC of this book.
I will be posting this review along with a photograph on my instagram page during the last week of November.
The 12 Days of Christian is the first novel in a new series of Christmas romances with the main characters being from a British band called Stellar Riot. There was so much to love about this one- a bad boy rock star, so much Christmas cheer and a lot of dogs! I’m not one for book boyfriends but Christian is now my favourite book boyfriend. Underneath his bad boy image he had a heart of gold. You can’t beat a man who loves books, dogs and can cook.
Vet nurse Hayley was very relatable and I loved her two rescue dogs and her best friends. I loved getting to know them both and see their relationship grow. It was a lot of fun to see what celebrities can be like under their public persona and the behind the scenes of a reality TV show. I enjoyed the little paw prints to break up scenes and you can’t have a book about musicians without a playlist! For fans of holidays reads, best friend’s sister, forced proximity and celebrity/ normal person romance tropes. I highly recommend you get this on onto your Christmas TBR and can’t wait for the next installment.
Really enjoyable Christmas Romance!
✨Friends To Lovers
✨Brother's Best Friend
🐕Dog Rescue
🎸 Rockstar |🩺 Vet Nurse
The cover of this book is what initially pulled me in but the author's storytelling kept me interested and turning pages. I really enjoyed reading and seeing how Christian and Haley's relationship developed, this story has a strong sense of redemption, love and second chances.
This was the first time I have read something from this author and look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
Thank you Caroline Corvin, Net Galley and Grenwyvern Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Christian finds himself in a precarious situation when he seeks refuge in Haley’s London home. Instead of participating in a celebrity reality show that could save her beloved animal rescue, Canine Haven Dog Rescue, he is hiding out from the public eye. This unexpected turn of events throws Haley’s perfect Christmas into disarray as she grapples with her feelings for Christian and the fate of the rescue.
An engaging read filled with romantic tension and emotional depth as it unfolds over twelve days leading up to Christmas.
Book Review: The Twelve Days of Christian by Caroline Corvin
Caroline Corvin’s The Twelve Days of Christian, the first book in the Stellar Riot Christmas series, offers a heartwarming, holiday romance with a perfect blend of festive spirit, second chances, and sizzling chemistry. This contemporary romance is a Christmas treat that will leave readers with a warm heart and a smile on their faces.
Plot Overview:
The story revolves around Christian Steele, a rockstar with a “bad boy” reputation, and Haley Templeton, a vet nurse whose life is devoted to rescuing animals at her beloved Canine Haven Dog Rescue. Christian has secretly harbored feelings for Haley for years, but their relationship has been complicated by misunderstandings and misconceptions—especially since Haley is his best friend’s sister.
Christian, known to the public for his wild antics, is far more complex than the tabloids suggest. However, Haley only sees the surface, believing the negative rumors about him. When Christian unexpectedly shows up at her doorstep in London just before Christmas—hiding out to avoid a reality show and unable to explain why—Haley’s carefully planned holiday is thrown into disarray. With only twelve days to spend together, Christian sees a chance to prove himself to Haley and, perhaps, win her heart in the process.
As the days pass, Christmas decorations go up, tensions soften, and the connection between Christian and Haley deepens. But with secrets still between them and the future of Haley's animal rescue hanging in the balance, the stakes are high. Will twelve days be enough to unwrap the truth and ignite a love that’s been simmering beneath the surface for years?
Characters:
Corvin creates vivid, relatable characters, with Christian and Haley standing at the heart of the novel. Christian Steele is a complex, multi-dimensional hero. While his bad-boy image may be all the world sees, his sensitive and loyal nature shines through as the story unfolds. His inner conflict—between his public persona and his genuine feelings for Haley—adds depth to his character, making him more than just a stereotypical rockstar.
Haley Templeton is a strong, determined woman who is passionate about her work with animals. She’s equally endearing as a heroine, balancing her independence with the vulnerability that comes from realizing she may have been wrong about Christian all along. Her skepticism and gradual softening toward him create a believable and compelling emotional journey.
The dynamic between Christian and Haley is filled with tension, both romantic and emotional. Their relationship evolves from mutual wariness to undeniable chemistry, and Corvin excels at crafting moments of vulnerability and passion that feel authentic. The slow burn of their relationship feels realistic, making the eventual emotional payoff all the more satisfying.
Themes and Tone:
At its core, The Twelve Days of Christian is a story of redemption, forgiveness, and love. Christian’s quest to prove himself worthy of Haley’s trust and admiration mirrors broader themes of self-acceptance and confronting the truth beneath appearances. The holiday backdrop adds a layer of warmth and magic to the narrative, reinforcing the idea of Christmas miracles and second chances.
The novel also explores the importance of family and community. Haley’s devotion to her animal rescue—and her willingness to do whatever it takes to save it—speaks to the power of love and service, not just in romantic relationships, but in the wider sense of caring for others.
The tone of the novel is festive and heartwarming, with moments of humor that keep the story from becoming too heavy, even as it delves into deeper emotions. The Christmas setting provides a cozy and magical atmosphere, filled with holiday traditions, twinkling lights, and the promise of something special.
Writing Style:
Caroline Corvin’s writing is engaging, with a strong sense of pacing that keeps the story moving smoothly through its twelve-day timeframe. She has a talent for creating tension—both romantic and plot-driven—while allowing the characters’ emotional arcs to develop naturally. The dual perspective, switching between Christian and Haley’s viewpoints, gives readers insight into both characters’ thoughts and feelings, making their connection more palpable.
Corvin’s descriptions of the festive London setting, as well as the details of Haley’s work with the dog rescue, add richness to the story, making it easy to immerse oneself in the world of The Twelve Days of Christian.
Conclusion:
The Twelve Days of Christian is a delightful holiday romance that will appeal to fans of the "friends-to-lovers" and "best friend’s sister" tropes, as well as anyone looking for a cozy, heartwarming story set during the Christmas season. Caroline Corvin weaves together themes of love, redemption, and the magic of the holidays into a well-paced and emotionally satisfying novel.
With relatable characters, emotional depth, and just the right amount of Christmas cheer, this book is a perfect addition to any holiday reading list. If you're a fan of contemporary romance with a festive twist, The Twelve Days of Christian is a must-read!
Christian is a celebrity that’s been painted as a bad person by the media. He’s been secretly in love with his friends / bandmates little sister, Haley for the past 3 years. He has 12 days to get her to feel the same way about him.
This was a cute Christmas romance. I enjoyed reading it and getting to know Haley and Christian’s characters along with the other characters. I recommend this to anyone who loves Christmas themed romance books.
It had a few 🌶️ scenes.
Thank you to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
I can't stop reading holiday themed books. The covers get me and then the romance and time of year is fun to read about. I liked the music emphasis throughout this title. I also thought the author had some impressive scenes between the two main characters! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.